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Old Mar 19, 2014 | 08:21 PM
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Default Simple DRL question

My DRLs never used to come on when the E-brake was on,but I have noticed the last few mornings when I was warming up the car(30 degrees),the DRLs are on?
I don't like advertising that my car is running without me in it,the DRLs are bright.

My brakes light is on,so I'm not sure if it's the parking brake switch or not. Ideas?
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Old Mar 19, 2014 | 10:29 PM
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Yeah its the parking break im pretty sure. If a car has automatic headlights. when you start it if you apply the e-break before hand the lights wont come on. Sooo it might be a short or just might be normal. What do you drive?
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Old Mar 19, 2014 | 10:58 PM
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It's an auto
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Old Mar 20, 2014 | 03:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Red97LT1
It's an auto
Same rule applies, parking brake must be applied prior to starting the vehicle in order to keep the drl's from coming on
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Old Mar 20, 2014 | 06:21 AM
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Originally Posted by chrysler kid
Same rule applies, parking brake must be applied prior to starting the vehicle in order to keep the drl's from coming on
Yes. The park brake is applied before the car is started. The DRLs never came on when I started the car with the p-brake on,but now they do. Thats why Im trying to figure out if the parking brake switch is bad or some other problem.
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Old Mar 20, 2014 | 07:53 AM
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The parking brake switch is a grounding switch that provides ground for the brake light in the instrument cluster through the DRL module. The DRL module does no processing of the ground for the light other than having a diode to prevent current back feed. But the DRL module has a solid state logic module that controls a pair of relays for the two front lamps. Your parking brake switch must be working or the light would not come on. It would seem that the logic module is not seeing the ground from the parking brake switch so it activates the DRLs whenever the ignition is on.

You may be able to open up the DRL module and check for broken traces or bad solder joints (much like the common RAP circuit problem in the BCM). Or you may want to replace the DRL module. Unfortunately, a new module is almost $400 at the dealer (about $240 online... P/N 10407669) so you might want to try a junk yard first. I've seen used ones on eBay for $30-$40. The same module fits all 98-02 Camaros and Firebirds and probably several other vehicles as well.
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Old Mar 20, 2014 | 08:11 AM
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When you put the e-brake on, does the BRAKE light come on in the gauge cluster? If not, you could have a problem with the handle sensor circuit.
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Old Mar 20, 2014 | 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by wssix99
When you put the e-brake on, does the BRAKE light come on in the gauge cluster? If not, you could have a problem with the handle sensor circuit.
Good point.

It's obviously weather-dependent, so hopefully you can soon forget about it until next year

You could also disable them altogether. I respect those who do not wish to do so (*cough*WhiteBird00*cough* ); however, it's a legitimate option (I disabled them on my '00 and '02).
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Old Mar 20, 2014 | 01:54 PM
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Who, me??? Would I ever make a comment about disabling safety devices?


BTW, the OP already said that the BRAKE light in the instrument cluster was working:
Originally Posted by Red97LT1
... My brakes light is on,so I'm not sure if it's the parking brake switch or not. Ideas?
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Old Mar 20, 2014 | 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by WhiteBird00
BTW, the OP already said that the BRAKE light in the instrument cluster was working:
That's what one gets when they wait to speak rather than waiting for the speaker to finish
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Old Mar 20, 2014 | 02:24 PM
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I read that and processed it as the brake tail lights work.

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Old Mar 20, 2014 | 09:10 PM
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Well tonight the Parking Brake light didn't even come on,even though the park brake was up. I checked the wire that goes to the park brake switch and some how it had come off.

Anyways,I connected it and everything is working as it was before. I guess after 17yrs it worked its self loose.
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Old Mar 20, 2014 | 11:58 PM
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HA! Subconsciously, I knew it!
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Old Mar 21, 2014 | 07:02 AM
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The subconscious mind is an amazing thing!
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